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"We understand and appreciate what we construct is more than just a building. It is the school that educates your children, the office that supports your company, the church that nourishes your spirit, the medical facility that heals your body, the arts center that inspires your heart, or the home that shelters your family,” said Craig Lamberson, CEO of J.O. DeLotto & Sons, one of Tampa Bay’s oldest construction companies.
It was started more than 70 years ago as a paint and hardware store at the same address where DeLotto’s office stands today. Founder Julius O. “Pop” DeLotto sold paint and hardware supplies. All the helpful advice customers also came in for, “Pop” would provide for free. “Customers eventually requested the products be installed,” Lamberson said, pinpointing the moment of pivot for their business. Seeing an opportunity to do more for his customers, the founder took his paint and hardware store to the next level, becoming “a full-service construction firm.” The year was 1946 and J.O. DeLotto & Sons was birthed as a Tampa-based construction company.
For the last 77 years, DeLotto has served the Tampa Bay area through general contracting, construction management, and design build services. Serving both the commercial and single family, custom residential sectors, DeLotto has built a variety of well-known properties ranging from the Glazer Children’s Museum on Downtown Tampa’s waterfront to several notable Master Crafted Residences, and most recently, the Predalina on Water Street Tampa.
Guided by their 4 Core Values of Integrity, Solutions, Craftsmanship, and Relationships, DeLotto is dedicated to “exceeding expectations,” said the company’s CEO. Unlike other construction firms, DeLotto has chosen to remain “old school in many ways including having carpenters and skilled laborers on our full-time payroll,” stated Lamberson. This decision allows them to “more effectively and efficiently meet the needs of our clients.” Another way DeLotto services its clients is through a “fully stocked service vehicle offered 24/7/365 to respond to our clients’ needs,” Lamberson continued. “If there’s an emergency, or a major issue that requires immediate attention, we are available to address it promptly. Instead of the client not knowing what to do or who to call, the first call is to us. We dispatch our service truck to act as a ‘first responder’ so to speak to evaluate and manage the concern.”
One of the Chamber’s longest standing members, DeLotto celebrated its 73rd year with the Tampa Bay Chamber on July 1, 2023! According to Lamberson, the Chamber has “provided opportunities to meet and strike up relationships with many individuals and companies embodying diverse talents and capabilities.” Winner of the 1996 Small Business of the Year award, DeLotto has been active in a variety of different programs like Leadership Tampa, Women of Influence and numerous networking events.
“Buildings impact people, and more than likely they will outlive them as well, so it is a privilege and joy to provide services that impact people in so many enduring ways,” Lamberson said.
(The DeLotto & Sons team gathered at one of their most recent projects in Tampa Bay, the Predalina Mediterranean Restaurant on Downtown Tampa’s Water Street. From left to right: Wayne Fernandez – Executive Vice President; Craig Lamberson – CEO; Doug Littrell – President; Jeff Doan – VP Operations; and Darrin Thomson – Vice President.)